Start with Printful
Good when you value a straightforward first setup, clean integrations, and fewer supplier choices.
Open Printful*Provider fit
Compare before you sample.
Open the provider that matches your product type, then order samples before adding many listings.
Links marked * are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Printful and Printify announced a merger in 2024, but both brands continue to operate separately, so compare catalog, pricing, routing, and workflow separately.
| Provider | Best fit | Why open it | Watch out for | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Printful | Quality-first beginner apparel and branded stores | Good design tools, mockups, integrations, samples, and a predictable first setup. | Base costs can be higher than marketplace-style provider networks. | Visit site* |
| Printify | Price and supplier comparison | Broad catalog and print-provider marketplace for testing suppliers, pricing, and production regions. | Supplier quality varies, so samples matter. | Visit site* |
| Gelato | Global local production | Useful for international customers and reduced cross-border fulfillment friction. | Catalog depth depends on region and product type. | Visit site |
| Gooten | Operations-led fulfillment | Good to review when order routing and production operations become more important. | Less beginner-friendly than the simplest first stacks. | Visit site |
| Prodigi | Art prints, photo products, and API orders | Strong option when wall art, print API, or art-product quality matters. | May be more specialized than a first apparel-only shop needs. | Visit site |
| Lulu | Books, journals, and workbooks | Better fit than apparel providers for publishing-led POD products. | Not a general apparel POD provider. | Visit site |
Decision guide
Which provider should you open first?
Start with the provider that matches your first product.
Compare Printify
Good when you want to test price, product range, and multiple print providers.
Open Printify*Check Gelato
Good when you expect customers across several countries and want local production options.
Open GelatoProvider choice is only step one.
Before publishing, check trademark safety, marketplace rules, mockup quality, pricing, shipping time, and sample quality.